Re: medication for aggression

[Guest guest]

Hi Louise,

Your situation sounds a lot like ours only is just 8. I was and still am very wary of the meds but so far the difference the risperdal is making with is remarkable. The jury is still out its been to soon to know if it will stay like this or it will go back to before. I think some of the immediate changes have to do with him finally sleeping well all night! Kellie

Subject: Re: medication for aggressionTo: AutismBehaviorProblems Date: Sunday, October 19, 2008, 5:25 AM

I'm a newbie, having just joined this group a few days ago. But I'm so glad that this topic came up. After holding off as long as I could, I finally game my son his first dose of Risperdal last night. He's always been somewhat aggressive, but now that he's nearly 12, his hormones have kicked in and it has become much, MUCH worse. I tried everything else; diets, behavior modification, vitamins and zinc cream, but I could only see him ending up in some sort of institution. So I finally gave in, gave him the medicine, and I can't believe the change! It's like night and day! He's the sweet, affectionate boy that he used to be most of the time, and that was fast disappearing into a life of uncontrolled rages, anxiety, and self-loathing. I thank God that we live in a time when we have these medications available! I know I have to watch out for side-effects, but I also know that this is the best way for

him to live the fullest life possible. I'm glad that you "sisters" were here for me during this decision-making; thanks!Louise__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks e! I needed to hear that! He had a good nites rest and

actually slept in this morning! I am at work today (UGH) so my

husband is on behavoir watch to see if he is acting strange or

anything! I had dreams last nite that all related to my guilt of

giving him a medication. I actually woke up at one point to make

sure that he was breathing! I cannot believe that I did that but I

am worrier! So, so far so good!

- In AutismBehaviorProblems , Two Blessings

wrote:

>

> (((((((((((, and son))))))))))))))) 

>

> What a good mommy you are .   Trying to give relif to your

child.  How safe he is in your care...God love you!!!!!!

>

> e

>

>

>

> Re: medication for aggression

>

>

> I totally agree with you . Medication is a personal decision.

> After having a script of risperdal for my 5 year old for a few days

I

> struggled with giving it to him or not. Tonight I decided to give it

> to him. I felt guilty in a way. But his aggression and irritablity

> were out of control. He is fast asleep now. I know that any pill is

> not a wonder drug but I hope that with this along with his other

> therapies will give him some relief!

>

>

> > >

> > > I get the feeling that this group is a non-judgmental group as

far as

> > medication goes, am I right? I recently had a person who runs a

major

> > autism organization lay into me big time about the fact that I

give my

> > son medication. My son is 17 going on 18. Her son is 4. I

couldn't see

> > the point into being so judgmental. I do many bio-medical

interventions

> > and special diets, but he still needs medication. I am hopeful

that one

> > day we will get him off of most of it, but for now, this is the

only

> > way he can live.

> > >

> > > Herskowitz

> > > valerieherskowitz. com

> > >

> >

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Louise and welcome! That is what happened to JJ when he was 12! Hormones! Before that he was very easygoing. Resperdal worked for J for a bit but then he started getting mean on it. He now takes a small dose of zpraxa and it has helped him alot. Lois (:

Re: medication for aggression

[Guest guest]

Blessings.

e

Re: medication for aggression

.. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

--

Glad to hear about the improvements.

What dosage does he take?

Liquid or tablets?

We have also had to go the same route.

Our son is 15. The doctor has us starting at

..05 mg for 1 week and then 1. after that.

We are 3 days into it, and so far I haven't

noticed any behavior changes. (he's still

obsessive, anxious, and suffering through puberty)

- In AutismBehaviorProblems , " whitequeen96 "

wrote:

>

> I'm a newbie, having just joined this group a few days ago. But

I'm so

> glad that this topic came up. After holding off as long as I

could, I

> finally game my son his first dose of Risperdal last night. He's

> always been somewhat aggressive, but now that he's nearly 12, his

> hormones have kicked in and it has become much, MUCH worse. I

tried

> everything else; diets, behavior modification, vitamins and zinc

cream,

> but I could only see him ending up in some sort of institution.

So I

> finally gave in, gave him the medicine, and I can't believe the

> change! It's like night and day! He's the sweet, affectionate

boy

> that he used to be most of the time, and that was fast

disappearing

> into a life of uncontrolled rages, anxiety, and self-loathing. I

thank

> God that we live in a time when we have these medications

available! I

> know I have to watch out for side-effects, but I also know that

this is

> the best way for him to live the fullest life possible. I'm glad

that

> you " sisters " were here for me during this decision-making; thanks!

>

> Louise

>

[Guest guest]

There's no way he can swallow a pill, so he's on the liquid, .25 ml

twice a day, then we'll move up to 3 x a day. The doctor told me it

wouldn't change any of autism's " core behaviors, " so I guess that

means our kids will still be obsessive. But it should calm down the

anxiety, agitation, and agression. Maybe it's taking a little longer

because your son is older and bigger. (My son is only about 80lbs.)

Also, I've started homeschooling him (no way he could handle Middle

School right now), so he has less to cope with. Maybe it's an

unrealistic " cocoon " for now, but I hope to eventually get things

back on a more normal track.

Thanks for the nice support!

Louise

> >

> > I'm a newbie, having just joined this group a few days ago. But

> I'm so

> > glad that this topic came up. After holding off as long as I

> could, I

> > finally game my son his first dose of Risperdal last night. He's

> > always been somewhat aggressive, but now that he's nearly 12, his

> > hormones have kicked in and it has become much, MUCH worse. I

> tried

> > everything else; diets, behavior modification, vitamins and zinc

> cream,

> > but I could only see him ending up in some sort of institution.

> So I

> > finally gave in, gave him the medicine, and I can't believe the

> > change! It's like night and day! He's the sweet, affectionate

> boy

> > that he used to be most of the time, and that was fast

> disappearing

> > into a life of uncontrolled rages, anxiety, and self-loathing. I

> thank

> > God that we live in a time when we have these medications

> available! I

> > know I have to watch out for side-effects, but I also know that

> this is

> > the best way for him to live the fullest life possible. I'm glad

> that

> > you " sisters " were here for me during this decision-making;

thanks!

> >

> > Louise

> >

>